328 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [NOVEMBER, IgIo. 
The method is simple. Buyers representing foreign firms, or a firm on the 
coast, take up their residence at these points and announce that they are 
ready to receive plants. The news soon spreads, and on every market day 
the plants come in, sometimes brought by poor peasants ir little bunches 
along with a goatskin or two and corn for the general market, sometimes 
brought by regular collectors in large cargoes. 
“The plants are immediately sorted according to quality and the 
number of leaves in good condition. Species other than C. labiata are 
bought in very small quantities, as the demand for them in the home 
market is restricted to collectors. The labiatas having less than eight or 
sometimes seven leaves are discarded, as they are too small for profitable 
shipment. Their collection is discouraged, as should it be long continued 
the plant would absolutely disappear from the regions worked. As it is, 
vandalism has reduced the production of this district enormously, and bids 
fair to wipe out the trade. 
‘ Plants of eight leaves are received in great quantities, and are paid for 
at about nine cents apiece. Plants of fifteen leaves or over bring eighteen 
cents ; twenty to thirty leaves, thirty-two cents; thirty to forty leaves, 
forty-five cents ; above forty leaves a special bargain is made for each plant. 
During the present season an extraordinary plant was brought in, numbering 
206 leaves. This plant was bought for about 5 dols. (£1), and is worth 
in the United States about 150 dols. In full bloom it should bear 500 
flowers. Like the Grape cluster of Eshcol, it was carried into market 
strung on a pole and borne by two men, who said they had brought it 
forty miles. Cattleya labiata alba is also occasionaliy found in this district. 
Its exquisite bloom is snow-white. It is exceedingly rare, one collector 
having gathered 8,000 labiatas without securing an alba. A good example 
will sell for as much as 300 dols. 
“In spite of such rare finds as these, the returns from the Orchid trade 
are not great, as there is competition, with heavy expenses, The prepara- 
tion, transportation, and shipment of plants in the Pernambuco district is 
not expensive. Correctly packed, the plants will stand thirty to forty days’ 
confinement and remain in good condition. Freight and expenses to New 
York per average case of eighty plants amounts to about 15 dols. An 
export duty of about sixty-four cents per 100 plants is charged, and they 
pay in the United States twenty-five per cent. ad valorem.” 
FLY WHICH ATTACKS ORCHID SEEDLINGS.—The flies mentioned at 
page 317 have been identified as belonging to the genus Scania, but the 
species remains uncertain. We should be glad to receive living specimens 
of the insect, as they are not in very good condition for determination after 
being captured by the Pinguicula.—Ep. 
